Photos of the February 2006's march in the trails of the 325 Glider Infantry Regiment-Photos de la marche de Février 2006 sur les traces du 325 Glider Infantry Regiment-To see photos of the 2005's march ,visit:Pour voir les photos de la marche 2005, visitez:and for the pictures of 2007's march, visit:et pour les photos de la marche 2007, visitez:Click on all pictures to enlarge
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March certificate: The foreground picture was designed by the Belgian cartoonist, Philippe Jarbinet and the wording and badges arrangment was made by Thomas Goode, USA.
Rassemblement matinal au gîte de Werbomont avant le départ pour la marche.
The day starts in the cold rain as people arrive and register. We are ready for the little ceremony at the 325 Glider Infantry Regiment' s memorial at Manhay starting place.
From L to R: Mr. Christian Kraft, Maj. Maria Eoff (82Abn) and Emile Lacroix (organizator) pay a tibute at the 325 Glider Infantry Regiment memorial in Manhay as a Belgian Paratrooper play taps.De G à D: Mr. Christian Kraft, Maj. Maria Eoff (82Abn) et Emile Lacroix (organisateur) rendent Homage au mémorial du 325 Glider Infantry regiment à Manhay tandis qu'un parachutiste Belge joue les sonneries.
Map of the march 2006 , in the trails of the 325 Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR).
The first forest road taken by the march, very muddy and icy follows approximately the line of defence held by the 325 GIR after the Christmas eve withdrawal till the Jan. 3, 1945 counter attack.
The accompanying WWII vehicles which had taken this trail before the marchers had broken the icy puddles and it begins to rain mixed with snow.
This conditions seems to not affect the progression of this captured German built "kettenkrad" half tracked motorcycle.
This rare vehicle is admired by all the marchers.
As this vehicle was designed to tow a light artillery piece a seat for two crew member was installed at the back.
This American Jeep is also a rare vehicle as it's a very early model, built by "Ford" in 1941 and 42. (compare the difference with a regular Jeep).
The 2 and1/2 tons 6x6 truks GMC are at ease in this kind of terrrain.
The weather conditions were changing fast. Here near Vaux-Chavanne, on the above picture it seems good. A few second after on the picture below it 's raining mixed with snow. At the same time at the area of Baraque de Fraiture at a few kms south they had a snown storm blocking the roads for a while for our supply vehicles reaching the lunch camp.
Approaching the first supply point at mid morning walk.
Two drink and light foot supply points are installed on the itinerary, one mid morning and one mid afternoon. It's where you will find Philippe Nolet who will provide you with hot coffee etc...
Tom Goode and his wife in English Army uniforms. Tom is a great supporter of the march, designer of the certificate and promoting the march amongs US Army troops in Germany.
A convoy of vehicles reaching the lunch place in Fraiture riding in the snow storm.
One of the truck (the heaviest) of the organizator club had a pucture bringing supply to the lunch time camp. Reparing in the falling snow and the cold is a rough task.
The driver, Etienne Girboux is also one of the responsible of the organisation of the lunch camp in Fraiture.
At the lunch time camp, are the shadow workers of the club in charge of the billeting and the foot supply and cooking. Photos above and below: Stephane Steeno.
Other shadow worker of the club for the march and responsible of supply and food, here above and below: Etienne Girboux.
Here is Georges Wafflard working since many years for the success of the march.
Kristof Steeno and Jean Girboux don't spare their efforts.
Tommy Mc Ardle posing with the veteran Bill Tucker (505PIR) and Stijn Steegen.
On the road again for the afternoon stage toward the "Bois Houbi". In the background, the village of Fraiture and the lunch camp.
In those woods, "bois Houbi", the 325GIR inflicted heavy losses to the German who had followed them there during their withdrawal from Baraque-de-Fraiture defence.
At the end, at last. Seeing how wet are the uniforms of those troopers, one can realize how were the rainy/snowy and rought conditions of the hike. But eneryone enjoyed.
A goup of reenactor friends from the "Grand Duché of Luxemburg"
Happy to be at the end of the hike and to receive that certificate well deserved.
Father Gerard Thuring along with members the 82nd Airbone Holland Chapter of the C-47 Club, congratulates members of the Belgian Chapter for their work in remembering the battle of the 82nd Airbrone Div. in the Ardennes trough this march and presents a gift book to Emile Lacroix for his organization.
Evening banquet at the "Ranch Don Diego" with the 82nd Airborne "All American" and C-47 Club Belgian Chapter and friends of the 82nd Airborne veterans .
First veteran to participate at the march in 1987, Larry Gourlie of the 325 Glider Infantry Regiment. This photo is taken at the Start, at Werbomont crossroads. Larry is posing with Tim Roop who was a 82nd trooper after WWII. Gourlie was a radio man for Col. Gerard, 325GIR.
This march 1987 was made in a very snowy weather, remembring Winter 1944-45. Most other following marches would be like this one.
Same year 1987, during this march, our Engineers had to build a footbridge over a creek as to be crossed by the march. We named it "Gourlie Bridge, built by the 307 Eng, 82nd Airborne Div." Larry was proud of "his" bridge in Europe and brought back the plaque at his home to be framed and hanged on a wall in his house.
Support WWII vehicles of the 82nd "All American" Jeep Group (organizator of the march) in difficulty. 1987
At the end of this march 1987 a magazine photographer made this photo which was published as a center page.
The second veteran to participate in 1988 was Richard Tedeschi , 505 PIR, along with Capt. Lou Haptfleish, 504 PIR and Bill Tucker, 505 PIR. Here at the 505's march we are arriving at the top of the hill to Fosse where I Company 505 lost many men and where we raised a memorial a few years later. Emile Lacroix, Richard Tedeschi, Georges Wafflard and Philippe Jeneaux.
Richard Tedeschi (505 PIR) and Capt. Lou Hauptfleisch (504 PIR) at the Noirfontaine farm lunch time place in 1992.
Captain Lou Hauptfleish, 504PIR and Bill Tucker, 505 PIR , participated also in 1988 (here pictured at the Noirfontaine Farm during the 1992 march).
In 1989, the march ended in la Gleize and at this occasion the Club delivered the 75mm Airborne howitzer, they had received from the US Army Department for their project of an 82nd Airborne section in the new museum. The gun made all the march towed by a Jeep of the club.
At the start of the march 1992, Betty and Dennis Force (505PIR, I Comp) are listening the speech at the 82nd Airborne Monument in Werbomont. On the left side of Dennis (partly hidden) is Richard Tedeschi (PIR). on the left of photo is General Douglass from US Embassy.
During this march 1992, in the trails of the 505PIR, we dedicated a memorial outside the village of Fosse where I Company 505PIR lost 13 men killed and many wounded in retaking the village. During the ceremony an airplane dropped 13 wreathes in the field. The crowd is listening a speech about the battle there. From L to R: Bill Tucker, Dennis Force ( both I Co 505 wounded in this field), Capt. Lou Hauptfleish (504PIR, partly hidden by Dennis), Derrick Wills (England chapter C-47 Club), Sgt Howard Melvin (I Co 505PIR) and members of "All American jeep Group.
The monument to the 13 men of I Comp 505PIR killed in attacking the village of Fosse. On the bronze plaque is represented a big dogtag with the 13 names printed on it.
An other man of Company I who was wounded in the attack of Fosse, the Medic Patsy Passero was hit six time by ennemy bullets in bringing help to Dennis Force.Un autre homme de la Compagnie I qui fut blessé dans l'attaque de Fosse, l'Infirmier Patsy Passero fut blessé six fois par des balles ennemies en portant secours à Dennis Force.
March 1992, in the village of Fosse, Capt. Lou Hauptfleisch poses in front of the house which was his CP when the 504PIR occupied the place after the retaking by the 505PIR. In his hands a panoramic picture made with a montage of enlargment of two of the pictures of the same spot that he took himself after the battle.Marche 1992, dans le village de Fosse, le Capt. Lou Hauptfleisch pose en face de la maison qui fut son PC lorsque le 504PIR occupa le village après la reprise par le 505PIR. Dans les mains, il tient une photo panoramique faite d'un montage à partir de l'agrandissement de deux photos du même endroit qu'il avait prises lui-même après la bataille.
Capt. Lou Hauptfleish, in front of the house which was his CP in Rahier during the bloody battle to retake Cheneux by the 504 PIR, is talking about this fight to a group of reenactors. February 1993, 504 PIR's march.
An other photo in Rahier, in 1993 in the yard of Capt. Hauptfleisch's CP there .
The men of the 82nd Airborne "All American" J.G. and English reenactor group crossing Rahier in the steps of the 504 PIR during the 1993 march.
Back in 1944. Same place. On Dec. 22, 1944 the 2nd Bn, 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment is crossing the village of Rahier as to relieve the 1st Bn in Cheneux after the battle.
Dec. 1944, about 100 yard farther on the road, the group trooper of the 2nd Bn, 504PIR made an halt to speak with Chaplain Kozak at the exit of Rahier.
Same place. In the trails of the 504PIR in 1993, the group of reenactors poses in Rahier . It's from where the 1st Battalion 504PIR started to reach the line of departure to attack and retake Cheneux from the hands of SS troops of the 1st SS Panzer Div. of Peiper.
1993. A part of our friend of an English reenactment group who are participating each year at the march since long time with a large team. 
In the trails of the 508PIR, in 1994, from Werbomont to Thier-du-Mont hill, the support group of the 82nd Airborne "All american" Jeep Group had mounted his lunch time camp in a clearing in the woods.
The organization of the lunch time supply is a lot of work for the men who are in charge of this task.
Same place, same march, same date, 1994, a little rest around a camp fire before the next stage. Même endroit, même mache, même date, 1994, un peu de repos autours d'un feu de camp avant la prochaine étape
Cie HQ 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment at Avenaterre, Belgian Ardennes, on Januray 3, 1945. moves toward the village of Fosse liberated by the 505PIR in the afternoon.
82nd Airborne "All American" Jeep Group and English participants at the Historical march "In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division" same place in February 1994.
January 3, 1945, after the retaking of Fosse by the 3rd Bn 505PIR, the 504PIR took position in the village to launch the next attack. Here 504PIR's troopers and officers are in front of the 504 CP in Fosse, January, 4.
Same house during the February 1994 march. A part of the reenactors play the same scene. Nothing has changed around this house.
For the marchers, it's better to take the side footbridge.
Among the 8 veterans who participated at this 1995 march was Warren Wilt, 508PIR. Warren was the trooper who fired a bazooka rocket on the armored shield of one of the three 88mm German gun which were firing from the edge of the woods on the 508PIR's men attacking across the open fields driving off all the crews who were not dead or wounded.
In 1996, the 325 Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) march. Lester Schwarm, veteran of this unit is marching again in his steps between Manhay and Baraque-de-Fraiture where he fought for the defence of the crossroads there with his mortar team. Here pictured with Emile Lacroix
At the end of this 1996 march, a local newspaper photograph made this photo of the 325GIR veteran, Lester Schwarm posing with Etienne Girboux and his Jeep bearing the 325GIR markings.
504PIR's march, 1998. The head of the marchers column progressing those historical roads.
During this march, our "Engineers" team had to build a small bridge again on a stream to be crossed by the march. After finishing the bridge they are taking a rest, waiting for the marchers to come.
At the march 1999, a 508PIR march, it snowed about all day long. Here our English reenactor friends are waiting for the start in Menil.
They are smiling before the start but the road will be very rough. Menil 1999;
At the 508PIR march , in 1999, we had the participation of 6 veterans of the 82nd Airborne. Here, at the ceremony held at the 508PIR's memorial at the Thier-du-Mont hill are from L to R: Sgt Howard Melvin (505PIR), Patsy Passero (505PIR), Bill Tucker (505PIR), Ralph Boroughs (508PIR), Emile Lacroix (oganizator) and OB Hill (508PIR). Not on the picture, Howard Manoian (505PIR).
March 508PIR in 1999. The 508PIR's veteran, Ralph Boroughs in conversation with E. Lacroix at Noirfontain farm during lunch time.
In the steps of the 508PIR around Arbrefontaine in 1999.
The year 2000, at the 505PIR march, Ray Fary from the 80th AntiAircraft Bn of the 82nd Abn was participating for the first time as well as some veterans of the 551st PIBn.
Col. Doug. Dillard (551PIBn), Ray fary (80AA) and Lt. Dirk Durkee (551PIBn) are posing at the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion's memorial in Rochelinval during the march 2000. The 551PIBn was disbanded after the battle to retake Rochelinval as they had lost 84% of its men in 4 days and din't even had enough men left as to make a company.
In 2001, during the 325GIR's march, as the march was reaching the village of Bra, we dedicated a bronze plaque fixed on the wall of the entrance gate of the castel where General James Gavin, Commanding the 82nd Airborne Division, had is CP for a few days. Her ethe crowd of marchers assemble for the ceremony.
After the dedication of Gen. Gavin's plaque, from L to R: Harold Myers (80AA), Byron Beekman (508PIR), Mrs. de Spirlet (Owner of the castle), Emile lacroix and Ray Fary (80AA) are posing for a souvenir picture.
Other veterans who were participating at the 2001's march. From L to R: Ed Dugan (505PIR),
And also Byron Beekman (508PIR), Ed Dugan (505PIR) and Harry Renick (551PIBn).
At the start of the 504PIR's march in 2002 at Bra, E. Lacroix (back) talking with Ray Fary (80AA, blue jacket), Harry Renick (551PIBn, partly hidden by Ray) and J. Janeke (veteran Corea).
2002, before the start, Bob Murphy (505PIR) assisted by Harry Renick (551PIBn) is laying a wreath at the bronze plaque dédicated to General James Gavin on the gate of the castle of Bra. Behind them are Ray Fary (80AA, Blue jacket) and J. Janecke (Corea war). 
At the exit of the village of Bra, the marchers assembled for the dedication of a new monument, raised by our club, dedicated at two men of the 80AA Bn of the 82nd Airborne Div. who lost their lives at that very place when a German shell fell on their position.
From L to R: Bill O'Sullivan (505PIR), Howard Manoian (505PIR), Bob Murphy (505PIR), Ray Fary (80AA), Harry Renick (551PIBn) and Janecke (Corea war) are posing for a souvenir picture at the lunch time camp in Pont-de-Villette. March 504PIR in 2002.
Ceremony at the 508PIR Memorial at the foot of the Thier-du-Mont hill during the last 508PIR's march, February 2003. It's from where this next Feb. 2007 march will start.
An accound about the battle for the retaking of Thier-du-Mont hill by the 508PIR on January 7, 1945 was made to the participants at the monument ceremony.
An other photo taken at the 508PIR's memorial in 2003. The veteran in the foreground is Benny Goodman (551PIBn).
One of the many letters I received from General Gavin, Commanding the 82nd Airborne Division in WWII, in which he mention how much he was interested by te march. Gen. James M. Gavin was the Honorary President of our club since 1982 till his death in February 1990 and informed of all actions of our Association.
